Russia has begun withdrawing military assets from the El-Qamishli airfield in northeastern Syria, marking a significant shift in its operational posture in the region.
Open-source intelligence indicates Russian military equipment being loaded onto transport aircraft, suggesting an active drawdown rather than a routine troop rotation.
The El-Qamishli airfield, located near Syria’s borders with Turkey and Iraq, has long served as a limited Russian military presence in the northeast.
Its role has differed from Russia’s main air base at Khmeimim, which remains the centre of Moscow’s air operations in Syria.
Signs of an Active Drawdown: Russia Exits Syria
According to images and reports circulating from the area, cargo aircraft are being used to remove equipment and supplies from the airfield.
Analysts say the scale and pace of the activity suggest a deliberate withdrawal rather than temporary redeployment.
The development aligns with earlier indications that the Syrian government plans to reassert full control over territories previously held by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led alliance.
As Damascus expands its authority in the northeast, Russia’s continued presence at El-Qamishli has become less tenable.
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The airfield existed largely because Moscow was able to act as a mediator between the Syrian government, Kurdish authorities, and Turkey. That intermediary role has weakened as regional dynamics shift.
Despite the apparent withdrawal from El-Qamishli, Russia is not expected to fully exit Syria.
About Al-Qamishli Military Airfield
The Al-Qamishli military airfield (also known as Qamishli Airport, IATA: KAC), located in northeastern Syria near the Turkish border in Hasakah province, serves both civilian and military purposes.
It primarily functions as the main airport for the city of Qamishli in the Kurdish-controlled northeast.
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Russia established a military presence there around 2016–2019, using it to host helicopters (Mi-8, Mi-35), troops, and equipment.
The base acted as a key foothold and mediation point between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Damascus, and Turkey, especially after the 2019 border arrangements.
Following the fall of the Assad regime and subsequent Syrian government advances in 2025–2026, Russia began withdrawing forces in January 2026, evacuating aircraft, vehicles, and personnel to its main Khmeimim base, reducing its footprint amid shifting alliances and Damascus pressure.
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